Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
073862046 | Transducer array (e.g., columns and rows) | 37 |
20090013802 | PRESSURE SENSING MAT - A generally flexible pressure sensing mat for a vehicle seat includes a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer. The mat includes a plurality of cells, each cell being defined by a respective opening of the spacer. In each cell, at least two electrodes are arranged between the first and second carrier foils and, in response to pressure acting on the pressure sensing mat at a cell, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the carrier foils thereby causing variation of an electrical resistance between the at least two electrodes of the cell. The pressure sensing mat includes at least one rigidifying element, the least one rigidifying element being associated to an individual cell for locally reducing flexibility of the pressure sensing mat at the individual cell. | 01-15-2009 |
20090107258 | Seating sensor - A seating sensor reliably senses an adult or a child seated on a vehicle seat, and prevents incorrect sensing of a seated occupant when a piece of luggage is placed on the seat. The seating sensor includes a first sensor cell, a second sensor cell connected in series with the first sensor cell and disposed on the front side of the seat beyond the first sensor cell, and a third sensor cell connected in series with the first sensor cell, connected in parallel with the second sensor cell, and disposed on the rear side of the seat beyond the first sensor cell. | 04-30-2009 |
20090133508 | Biomimetic Tactile Sensor for Control of Grip - Disclosed is a robust tactile sensor array that mimics the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. It uses the deformable properties of the finger pad as part of the transduction process. Multiple electrodes are mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. | 05-28-2009 |
20090235760 | Load sensor and manufacturing method for the same - A detection element detects at least compression load. A first member has a surface provided with the detection element. A preload adjusting member is substantially in a column shape and has a tip end configured to apply pressure to the detection element. The first member and the second member are connected with each other and configured to transmit load to the detection element. The second member has a fitted portion, which has an inner circumferential periphery being press-fitted with the preload adjusting member. The second member causes elastic deformation in response to adjustment of press-fitting of the preload adjusting member and causes change in preload applied to the detection element. | 09-24-2009 |
20090241690 | Load sensor and manufacturing method for the same - A detection element detects at least compression load. A first member has a surface provided with the detection element. A preload adjusting member has a tip end configured to apply pressure to the detection element. The first member and the second member are connected with each other and configured to transmit load to the detection element. The second member has a fitted portion, which has an inner circumferential periphery defining a thread groove, which is screwed with the preload adjusting member. The second member causes elastic deformation in response to adjustment of screwing of the preload adjusting member and causes change in preload applied to the detection element. A buffer member is interposed between the preload adjusting member and the detection element. | 10-01-2009 |
20090288498 | Sensor system and method for operating a sensor system - A sensor system has a first sensor-element block and a second sensor-element block, at least one first sensor element and one second sensor element are assigned to the first sensor-element block, and at least one third sensor element is assigned to the second sensor-element block. The third sensor element is situated between the first and second sensor elements. | 11-26-2009 |
20090293641 | METHOD OF MEASURING THE PERFORMANCE OF A PROSTHETIC FOOT - A method of measuring the performance of a prosthetic foot includes obtaining a pressure distribution of the prosthetic foot during a motion of the prosthetic foot and determining whether the pressure distribution falls within a preselected range of performance values for the prosthetic foot. The pressure distribution comprises a trajectory illustrating the progression of a center of pressure of the prosthetic foot during motion. A prosthetic foot can also be designed to approximate a pressure distribution corresponding to a preselected range of performance values. | 12-03-2009 |
20090320611 | ELASTIC COVERING FOR TACTILE SENSORS AND TACTILE SENSOR ARRAY WITH ELASTIC COVERING - The invention is an elastic cover for tactile sensors, said cover comprising an inner surface ( | 12-31-2009 |
20100037709 | ARRAY TYPE PRESSURE SENSING APPARATUS AND PRESSURE MEASUREMENT METHOD USING THE SAME - An array type pressure sensing apparatus suitable for multi-touch sensing and pressure quantification for gray scale identification is provided. The array type pressure sensing apparatus includes a plurality of first axes, a plurality of second axes, a plurality of piezoresistive units, a third axis, a plurality of standard resistors and a control unit. The second axes are disposed crisscross with the first axes, and there is one piezoresistive unit disposed on the cross between one first axis and one second axis. The third axis is disposed crisscross with the first axes, and there is one standard resistor on the cross between one first axis and the third axis. A pressure measurement method implemented using the array type pressure apparatus is also provided. The pressure measurement method is a gray scale identification method by pressure quantification of a linear piezo-resistive system. | 02-18-2010 |
20100050784 | TACTILE SENSOR - A tactile sensor includes: a circuit board; a plurality of unit electrode pads; and a pressure sensing film, in which the circuit board can include: a first circuit pattern, implemented by electrically connecting unit electrode pads disposed in a same column among the plurality of unit electrode pads arranged in a 2-dimensional configuration; a second circuit pattern, implemented by electrically connecting unit electrode pads disposed in a same row among the plurality of unit electrode pads arranged in a 2-dimensional configuration; a third circuit pattern, implemented by electrically connecting unit electrode pads disposed in a same section among the plurality of unit electrode pads arranged in a 2-dimensional configuration, if assuming that the entire area in which the plurality of unit electrode pads are arranged is divided by sections. | 03-04-2010 |
20100077868 | Tactile sensor - A tactile sensor includes a substrate, electrodes arranged on the substrate, a conductive resistor membrane spaced apart from the electrodes by a predetermined distance, and an elastic member spaced apart from the resistor membrane by a predetermined distance. | 04-01-2010 |
20100139418 | MEASUREMENT OF SLIDING FRICTION-INDUCED VIBRATIONS FOR BIOMIMETIC TACTILE SENSING - Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Pressure transducers can provide sensory feedback by measuring micro-vibrations due to sliding friction. | 06-10-2010 |
20100224010 | TACTILE SENSING ARRAY AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - In a tactile sensing array and its manufacturing method, the tactile sensing array includes first and second electrodes at different layers, conductors provided for cladding intersection positions of the first and second electrodes, and a cladding layer for cladding the first and second electrodes and conductors. Each of the first and second electrodes is a spiral conducting wire wound onto an elastic wire. During manufacture, a cladding layer solution is injected into a mold; first electrodes are installed in rows and apart, and each first electrode includes conductor solution drops; second electrodes are installed at the conductor solution drops; a cladding layer solution is injected again; and vacuum, heating and demolding process are performed. The invention has the effects of high extensibility, high elasticity and low manufacturing cost and prevents damages caused by high deformation when the tactile sensing array is used and covered onto a complicated surface. | 09-09-2010 |
20100282000 | DIELECTRIC TEXTURED ELASTOMER IN A PRESSURE MAPPING SYSTEM - A capacitance pressure mapping system includes a plurality of sensor cells created by the intersection of electrode columns and rows, and a solid elastomer dielectric separating the electrode columns and rows. The elastomer is at least one planar sheet having a surface comprising a pattern of projections. There may be two sheets having opposing patterns of projections. The opposing patterns may be interlocking or corresponding. | 11-11-2010 |
20110083517 | SENSOR SYSTEM - A sensor system includes a first sensing device that includes a sensor, and first and second surrounding portions that surround the sensor at least partially, a second sensing device that comprises a sensor, and first and second surrounding portions that surround the sensor at least partially, wherein at least one of a combination of shapes of the first and second surrounding portions of the respective first and second sensing devices and a combination of physical properties of the first and second surrounding portions of the respective first and second sensing devices is configured such that a detection characteristic of the first sensing device is different from a detection characteristic of the second sensing device. | 04-14-2011 |
20110203390 | SOFT PRESSURE SENSING DEVICE - A pressure sensing device includes a first conversion layer and a second conversion layer, an electrically conductive element between the first and second conversion layers, and a pair of electrically conductive yarns connected to the electrically conductive element, wherein the first and second conversion layers include at least one deformation member adapted to deform the electrically conductive element and change the resistivity of the electrically conductive element, when pressure exerts on the first and/or the second conversion layer. | 08-25-2011 |
20110271772 | SUSPENDED MEMBRANE PRESSURE SENSING ARRAY - An accurate and low cost macro pressure sensor is described. The pressure sensor includes an array of capacitive sensing elements formed at the intersections of sets of conductors. A lower set of conductors is supported by a substrate and an upper set of conductors is supported on a flexible polymer membrane. Capacitive sensing elements are formed where a conductor in the upper set overlaps a spacer in the lower set. Separators hold the membrane away from the substrate with a separation that, because of deflection of the membrane, varies in relation to the pressure applied to the membrane. As a result, the separation of conductors, and therefore capacitance, in each cell varies in response to the applied pressure. By attaching the membrane to the separators and optionally using slits in the membrane between capacitive sensing elements, measurements made in each capacitive sensing element can be mechanically decoupled. | 11-10-2011 |
20120096952 | DETECTION DEVICE, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, AND ROBOT - A first substrate that includes pressure sensors which are disposed in plural around a reference point; an approximately hemispherical elastic protrusion that is positioned so that the center of the elastic protrusion is approximately disposed in a position which is overlapped with the reference point, and is elastically deformed by an external force; and a second substrate that is separated from the elastic protrusion and installed on a side which is opposite to the first substrate are provided. When the external force is applied, a predetermined calculation is performed by using a pressure value which is detected through each pressure sensor, and the direction and the intensity of the applied external force are obtained. | 04-26-2012 |
20120234105 | ELASTICALLY STRETCHABLE FABRIC FORCE SENSOR ARRAYS AND METHODS OF MAKING - Force or pressure transducer arrays have elastically stretchable electrically conductive polymer threads disposed in parallel rows and columns that contact at intersections thereof a piezoresistive material which has an electrical resistivity which varies inversely with pressure or force exerted thereon to form a matrix array of force or pressure sensor elements. The threads are fixed to a single one or pair of flexible elastically stretchable substrate sheets made of thin sheets of an insulating polymer such as PVC, or for greater elasticity and conformability to irregularly-shaped objects such as human body parts, an elastically stretchable fabric such as LYCRA or SPANDEX. Elastic stretchability of the sensor arrays is optionally enhanced by disposing either or both row and column conductive threads in sinuously curved, serpentine paths rather than straight lines. | 09-20-2012 |
20120247226 | SHEET-LIKE TACTILE SENSOR SYSTEM - Provided are multiple normal stress detection sensor units capable of detecting a normal stress, and a sheet layer portion. The sheet layer portion includes an exterior sheet layer portion, a force detection sheet layer portion incorporating normal stress detection units, and an intermediary layer sandwiched between the exterior sheet layer portion and the force detection sheet layer portion. The exterior sheet layer portion and the force detection sheet layer portion include multiple protrusions protruding in directions opposed to each other, and are disposed such that the protrusions engage each other with the intermediary layer interposed therebetween. Each normal stress detection sensor unit includes a central portion detection sensor device disposed immediately below a central portion of the protrusion provided on the force detection sheet portion, and at least two edge detection sensor devices disposed immediately below edge portions of the protrusion provided on the force detection sheet portion. | 10-04-2012 |
20120272751 | Dielectric Textured Elastomer in a Pressure Mapping System - A capacitance pressure mapping system includes a plurality of sensor cells created by the intersection of electrode columns and rows, and a solid elastomer dielectric separating the electrode columns and rows. The elastomer is at least one planar sheet having a surface comprising a pattern of projections. The pattern of projections may include two or more different types of projections, for example projections of different shapes (geometries) and/or sizes (height, width). | 11-01-2012 |
20120279318 | DISPLACEMENT SENSOR - A displacement sensor ( | 11-08-2012 |
20130186208 | FLEXIBLE TACTILE SENSOR APPARATUS - A flexible tactile sensor apparatus is provided. The flexible tactile sensor apparatus may obtain information about an applied force, using a resistance between an upper nano wire array of an upper plate and a lower nano wire array of a lower plate, which may be changed based on a distance, between the upper nano wire array and the lower nano wire array, adjusted in proportion to the force. | 07-25-2013 |
20130213144 | Footwear Having Sensor System - A sensor system is adapted for use with an article of footwear and includes an insert member including a first layer and a second layer, a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module, a plurality of force and/or compression sensors on the insert member, and a plurality of leads connecting the sensors to the port. | 08-22-2013 |
20130213145 | Footwear Having Sensor System - A sensor system is adapted for use with an article of footwear and includes an insert member including a first layer and a second layer, a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module, a plurality of force and/or pressure sensors on the insert member, and a plurality of leads connecting the sensors to the port. | 08-22-2013 |
20130213146 | Footwear Having Sensor System - A sensor system is adapted for use with an article of footwear and includes an insert member including a first layer and a second layer, a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module, a plurality of force and/or pressure sensors on the insert member, and a plurality of leads connecting the sensors to the port. | 08-22-2013 |
20130213147 | Footwear Having Sensor System - A sensor system is adapted for use with an article of footwear and includes an insert member including a first layer and a second layer, a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module, a plurality of force and/or pressure sensors on the insert member, and a plurality of leads connecting the sensors to the port. | 08-22-2013 |
20130291655 | PRESSING TYPE INPUT DEVICE - To provide a pressing type input device including: a load sensor which outputs a signal corresponding to an operation load from an operation member; a biasing member which generates an initial load with respect to the load sensor; a pressing member which presses the load sensor by receiving a biasing force of the biasing member; and a support member which oscillatably supports the pressing member, in which the pressing member has a pressed portion to receive the operation load from the operation member and a press portion to press the load sensor, and the operation load applied to the pressed portion causes a force to act on the press portion in a direction to reduce the initial load on the load sensor, in a position supported by the support member as fulcrum. | 11-07-2013 |
20140260678 | TACTILE SENSOR - A tactile sensor includes a pressure transducer encapsulated in an elastic material that defines a contact surface and provides a transmission path that transmits contact forces or pressure distributions applied to the contact surface to the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer can be enclosed in a protective housing that defines a chamber around the transducer. The housing can include one or more openings that expose the chamber to the exterior pressure. The tactile sensor can be made by applying the elastic material in liquid form and exposing the housing to a vacuum that removes air inside the chamber allowing the liquid elastic material to flow into the chamber. Once cured, the elastic material defines a contact surface of the tactile sensor and serves to transfer contact forces applied to the contact surface to the transducer. | 09-18-2014 |
20150313308 | Footwear Having Sensor System - A sensor system is adapted for use with an article of footwear and includes an insert member including a first layer and a second layer, a port connected to the insert and configured for communication with an electronic module, a plurality of force and/or pressure sensors on the insert member, and a plurality of leads connecting the sensors to the port. | 11-05-2015 |
20150355039 | DIELECTRIC GEOMETRY FOR CAPACITIVE-BASED TACTILE SENSOR - A dielectric for a capacitive-based tactile sensor of the type having a pair of spaced apart conductive plates with the dielectric conductively therebetween, comprises a body of a non-rigid dielectric polymeric material. The body is shaped into a microstructure defined by a plurality of members adapted to extend from one of the conductive plates to the other. Some of the members comprises a first feature shaped to have a first end surface and a second end surface. Second features are integral with the first feature and project from the second end surface. A cross-section area of each of the second features is substantially smaller than a cross-section area of the first feature at the second end surface. A height of the first feature in a distance between the conductive plates is substantially greater than a height of the second features. A capacitive-based tactile sensor with the dielectric is also provided. | 12-10-2015 |
20160033343 | METHODS AND APPARATUS CONCERNING MULTI-TACTILE SENSITIVE (E-SKIN) PRESSURE SENSORS - Various aspects as described herein are directed to electronic skin pressure sensors and methods of using the same. As consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes an electronic skin pressure sensor and sensor circuitry. The electronic skin device is configured and arranged for differentiating between different mechanical stimuli including lateral stress and at least one additional mechanical stimuli. The sensor circuitry is configured and arranged to respond to the electronic skin pressure sensor by sensing a change in impedance due to the lateral stress. | 02-04-2016 |
20160041047 | PIEZOELECTRIC ACOUSTIC RESONATOR BASED SENSOR - A piezoelectric acoustic resonator based sensor is presented herein. A device can include an array of piezoelectric transducers and an array of cavities that has been attached to the array of piezoelectric transducers to form an array of resonators. A resonator of the array of resonators can be associated with a first frequency response corresponding to a first determination that the resonator has been touched, and a second frequency response corresponding to a second determination that the resonator has not been touched. The array of piezoelectric transducers can include a piezoelectric material; a first set of electrodes that has been formed a first side of the piezoelectric material; and a second set of electrodes that has been formed on second side of the piezoelectric material. | 02-11-2016 |
20160076955 | Device for Measuring State of Contact of Support Roller of Conveyor Belt - A device for measuring the state of contact of a measuring roller of a conveyor belt includes a pressure sensor provided on a rotating surface of the measuring roller, which rotates in contact with an inner peripheral surface of a conveyor belt stretched between pulleys. The pressure sensor detects resistance force acting when the conveyor belt rides over the measuring roller. A rotational position sensor detects the circumferential position, on the rotating surface, of the pressure sensor. The data detected are sequentially wirelessly transmitted to the outside of the measuring roller by a transmission unit installed on the measuring roller, and the transmitted detection data are received by a receiver. | 03-17-2016 |
20160097689 | Pressure Array Sensor Module and Manufacturing Method Thereof and Monitoring System and Monitoring Method Using the Same - A pressure array sensor module including an array electrode board, a plurality of pressure sensing elements, at least one first conductive structure and at least one second conductive structure is provided. The array electrode board includes a substrate and an array electrode. The array electrode, disposed on the substrate, has a first electrode pattern and a second electrode pattern. Each pressure sensing element, disposed on a sensing position of the array electrode board, includes a top electrode layer, a bottom electrode layer and at least one pressure sensing layer disposed between the top and bottom electrode layers. The top electrode layer has a first lead. The bottom electrode layer has a second lead. The first conductive structure is electrically connected between each first lead and a corresponding first electrode pattern. The second conductive structure is electrically connected between each second lead and a corresponding second electrode pattern. | 04-07-2016 |
20160169754 | ARTICLES OF HANDWEAR FOR SENSING FORCES APPLIED TO MEDICAL DEVICES | 06-16-2016 |
20160252410 | FORCE SENSOR | 09-01-2016 |